BAGPIPES AS MUSIC: WHANGAREI INCIDENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1948, Page 2

BAGPIPES AS MUSIC: WHANGAREI INCIDENT

Can the bagpipes be considered a musical instrument. This question was raised by the Mayor of Whangarei, Mr W Jones, during a light-hearted discussion at a meeting of his Borough Council. x The Whangarei and County Pipe Band wrote explaining that at its September Ingleside it had bidden farewell to other Northland society members who had been visiting Whangarei by playing outside the Parochial Hall shortly after midnight. Mr F. G. Ross suggested that while Scottish people had a right to their festival's, playing in the street after midnight should not occur more than once a year. Mr Jones: Do you think it will take the rest of the year for you to get over it? Do you consider the bagpipes a musical instrument?

Mr Ross: I rather enjoy the pipes, but the drums are the trouble. Mr Jones: Eleven o’clock will be no good to Highlanders. Mr F. C. Eyles: They are only bringing in the haggis then.. Mr Jones said that no complaint had been received. The Council could condone the action of the band in playing on this occasion, but it could be suggested that the drums should be kept quiet after midnight in future. The letter was received.